October 2025 Esslinger Newsletter

Unfortunately, can’t attach a picture. Anyway, on my automatic divers w/ bracelet bands, need to know best tool to remove bracelet band near back of watch case in order to change band to dyed stingray band to match watch face. Don’t dive, just like the style. Usually after hours of using small forked end tool, can remove stainless steel watch band but not always even if same watch manufacturer. Doesn’t help having arthritic hands but it’s sorta my “thing” to show up to work w/ yet another stingray dyed band. Putting on stingray bands is the easy part. Bottom line is open to suggestions regarding what tool or perhaps lubricant as well would make removing the stainless steel band easier as I’m a cheap bastard & don’t want to pay jeweler 10 bucks for something typically ultimately successful. Right now, have (2) Deep Blues & there’s gotta be an easier way. Just ordered from Esslinger a $25 tool hoping will make job easier. Once again, open to suggestions as now 60, becoming like my late father w/ arthritic hands but his “hobby” wasn’t working on automatic watches. Let me know if you have any novel tools to make job easier & may have just ordered best tool for the job. BTW, seems most problematic w/ my Deep Blues but already switched out most diver bands years ago. Surely you understand, just need to get forked end in back & simultaneously loosen spring thing while applying pressure topop off the stainless steel band. Not talking rocket science here but chances are have a bit of OCD as when I start, prefer to finish & have dyed stingray band ready to go. Surprised more diver automatic watch enthusiasts don’t do same as for 50 bucks on EBay from Vietnam, gives my divers an extra “pop” plus don’t need to keep adjusting stainless steel band depending on ambient temperature. First time saw diver w/ dyed stingray band was on my first Ocean Crawler & gave feedback to Ocean Crawler besides for their mid-range quality, the dyed stingray band sold the watch & been trying to do it ever since. Already know my hands will ache like they’re going out of style next couple of days. Guess I should edit this down but it’s getting late & worst case scenario is take watch w/ stainless steel band to jeweler but where’s the challenge in that? Rhetorical question. Not as young as used to be, pretty sure ordered best quality forked stainless steel band remover but been racking my brain while typing this tome trying to think of an easier way. Some pop right off while others make me take a benzo to calm down (JK).